The semicolon ( ; ) - Easy Learning Grammar

The semicolon is used to mark a break between two main clauses when there is a balance or a contrast between the clauses.

Compare:

The engine roared into life. The propellers began to turn.

The plane taxied down the runway ready for takeoff.

with:

The engine roared into life;the propellers began to turn;the plane taxied down the runway ready for takeoff.

A useful test to work out when to use a semicolon is to ask yourself whether the two clauses could be written instead as separate sentences. If the answer is ‘yes’, then you can use a semicolon.Note that it is quite acceptable to use a full stop in these cases, but a semicolon is preferable if you wish to convey the sense of a link or continuity between the clauses in your narrative.

I’m not that interested in jazz;I prefer classical music.

He knew everything about me;I had never even heard of him.

A semicolon is also used to separate items in a list, especially if the listed items are phrases or clauses, which may already contain commas.

The holiday was a disaster: the flight was four hours late;the hotel, which was described as ‘luxury’, was dirty;and it rained for the whole fortnight.